Chapter 46

The moment Acacia regained consciousness, she found herself in a standard hospital room.

The doctors had assured everyone her injuries weren't severe. Though the cut was deep, stitches weren’t necessary.

Her fainting had been caused by sheer panic and stress.

"Honey! You're awake!"

Una hovered by the bedside, tears streaming down her face. "I thought I'd lost you forever!"

"Enough with the dramatics. Thaddeus isn’t here weeping like a child. You're making a scene."

Elspeth stood near the window, arms crossed, her expression icy. "Have you two even considered how to clean up this disaster?"

"What disaster?" Una wiped her tears, looking genuinely confused.

"Did you botch everything?"

Elspeth glared at her sister, frustration simmering. "I’ve spent years shielding you, guiding you. Without me, do you honestly think your daughter would stand a chance with Thaddeus? With your lack of wits, did you really believe she could marry into wealth? Not in this lifetime!"

Acacia clenched her jaw, resentment bubbling beneath the surface.

Her mother’s incompetence was infuriating.

To cover their debts, Una had sold the necklace Thaddeus gifted her—bad enough on its own. But selling it to the Ashbourne family, only for it to appear at an auction? That would ruin everything between her and Thaddeus!

"Elspeth, if you're going to speak to me like that—"

Una, usually the target of Elspeth’s scorn, bristled at being humiliated in front of her daughter. "Today, Acacia and I successfully framed Isabella. What about your daughter? Why did she interfere at the worst possible moment? If she hadn’t gotten involved, none of this would’ve happened!"

"How was I supposed to know Mari would be in the bathroom?" Elspeth snapped. "Acacia, what did I teach you? How could you be so careless when scheming, leaving behind evidence you didn’t even notice?"

Acacia stayed silent, swallowing her frustration.

"Regardless, there’s no solid proof Acacia harmed herself. If Thaddeus questions you, play dumb. He still has feelings for you—this will blow over."

Elspeth massaged her temples, her voice cold. "If not, I’ll make sure he forgives you."

"I understand, Auntie."

Acacia’s mind flashed to Suri’s fierce protection of Isabella. Jealousy gnawed at her. "Why does Isabella have their favor? Why does Suri treat her like a daughter? If this continues, she’ll destroy us!"

At the mention of Suri, Elspeth’s expression darkened.

"Suri isn’t even the Ashbourne family’s legal wife—just a mistress Emeric favors! I tolerate her out of respect for Chairman Emeric, yet she dares disrespect me!"

"Exactly! Auntie, you’re Uncle Frederic’s lawful wife. How can she compare?" Acacia quickly flattered Elspeth. She needed her aunt’s support to secure her place in the Abernathy family.

Una scoffed internally. Elspeth had no right to criticize Suri. Hadn’t she stolen her position too? If Thaddeus’s birth mother hadn’t been murdered, Elspeth—barren and scheming—would never have become Frederic’s wife.

"I won’t let Isabella marry into the Ashbourne family so easily. What good is Suri’s favor if Emeric doesn’t approve?"

Elspeth’s eyes glinted with malice. "Frederic told me Emeric values family reputation above all. Cassius is his chosen heir—he’d never allow his son to marry some country girl. Let Isabella enjoy her temporary victory. I’ll make sure she regrets crossing me."

The door to the ward burst open.

A chilling presence filled the room as Thaddeus stepped inside.

"Thaddeus." Acacia immediately put on a fragile act, her voice trembling.

"I have questions for you."

Her grip tightened on the sheets, her eyes darting to Elspeth for help.

"Thaddeus, Acacia just woke up. She’s been through enough. Can’t this wait?" Elspeth interjected smoothly.

"Some things need answers now." His tone left no room for negotiation.

"Mr. Abernathy, this is all my fault! Blame me, not my daughter!"

Una threw herself at his feet, sobbing. "The Stirling family is drowning in debt. Factories are closing. The Abernathy family refused aid, and the Ashbournes are crushing us. I sold Acacia’s jewelry behind her back—I didn’t know that necklace was from you! If I had, I’d rather starve than part with it!"

Acacia exhaled in relief, tears welling as she shot Elspeth a pleading look. "Mom, how could you? That was my most treasured gift."

But Thaddeus’s gaze remained cold. "That’s not what I came to ask."

Compared to framing Isabella, the necklace was trivial.

He could overlook the betrayal if it was truly for her family’s survival.

What he couldn’t forgive was targeting an innocent person.

"Did you injure yourself, or did Isabella harm you? Did her bracelet break by accident, or did you snatch it?" His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp.

"Thaddeus, are you accusing me of framing Isabella?" Acacia’s voice cracked. "Does our childhood bond mean nothing compared to your deceitful ex-wife?"

Thaddeus frowned. "Mari doesn’t lie. She said she never saw Isabella touch you."

"Mari’s mental state is fragile. Her words can’t be trusted. She might’ve missed it." Elspeth rushed to defend.

Thaddeus smirked coldly. "Do mothers usually belittle their own children in public? I wouldn’t know—I never had one."

Elspeth’s face paled.

Thaddeus, usually silent at home, had just humiliated her.

"Acacia, why do this? If I chose you, I won’t go back to Isabella. Why provoke her?" His voice was low, disappointment weighing on him like chains.

He still called her "Acacia"—a shred of respect for their past, for the light she’d once been in his darkest days.

But that light was flickering.

"I didn’t! It wasn’t me!" Acacia screamed, pounding the bed, her eyes wild. "She stole you! Now she’s making me the villain! Glynnis told me Isabella was always close to Mari—this is their plot! Thaddeus, do you believe them over me? Are you falling for her? Do you not want me anymore?"

"I’ve always loved you. Even married to Isabella, I never touched her. My feelings never changed." His control wavered, his headache worsening.

He remembered Isabella taking the blame without hesitation, her swollen wrist, the devastation in her eyes when she looked at him.

Thaddeus inhaled sharply, his vision blurring. "But Acacia, I don’t recognize you anymore. Do you even want to be with me?"

"No! Thaddeus, please—!"

She scrambled off the bed, but he was already walking away. The door slammed shut, leaving her in silence.

Acacia kicked the door in rage—then shrieked in pain.

She wouldn’t let Isabella win.

If Isabella wanted war, she’d get one.